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wargamer's avatar

I'm reading all the old reviews and happened to read this the same day as the one for Burn, and it's interesting how both of them basically go back to the same point: That completely invisible facets of modernity are to some extent ruining people. With Burn, it was how the lack of physical activity is driving all manner of mental illness, depression, and neuroticism because the body's energy can't be expended on normal physical movement. Here, it's the systematic loss of agency created by hyperspecialization and mass production. Not sure I've ever seen anywhere else make the case that the steam engine directly leads to tfw no gf, but it's a thought that will stick with me.

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Matt Gardenghi's avatar

I just wanted to poke my head in and say that it's a joy to read these reviews every week. When the emails show up, I tend to clear the deck and enjoy reading.

Thanks! I might even start expanding my reading genre in the near future. I'm learning about books in areas that I never knew existed.

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